Briqueting-machine.



1. F. nLovmv. BRIQUETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. I9I3 7n 1 9. 1l 0,". 1M WH Am Mw. t5 m nw D1WLF/meeuw.) Q. i@ Q Q.

J. F. LOVEJOY. BRIQUETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man APR. 9,1913. Lmllm, Patented Apr. 10,1917.

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J. F. LOVEJOY.

BRIQUETING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. s. 1913.

Patented Apr. 10,1917.

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- J. F. LOVEJOY.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

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J. F. LOVEJOY.

BRIQUETING MACHINE.

APPL|CAT|0N FILED APR.9, 1913.

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JOHN E. LOVEJOY, OE NEW ROCHELLE, NEW Yoan, .assrGNO-.a or ONE-HALE 'roABE STEIN, or NEW `Yoan, N. Y.

BRIQUETING-MACHINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 10, T1917.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, JOI-1N F. LOVEJOY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful mprovements inBriqueting-Machines,of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to briqueting machines, or apparatus for formingfinely divided material into compact and solid bodies or briquets ofsubstantial size and durability. f

More particularly the invention relates to machines for treating coaldust, culm or the like, so as to' consolidate the material, with the aidof a binder, such as pitch, into small uniformly shaped combustiblebriquets. Bituminous coal, or anthracite or coke breeze, for example maybe handled by the present apparatus, also any flue dust, or concentratesof ores.

rJlhe general objects hereof are to afford a superior construction andmode of operation of apparatus and a more compact and better product.Other objects will appear in the following description, or will beobvious to those skilled in the briqueting of materials. 1

l will first describe an apparatus affording an example or embodiment ofthe present improvements, and illustrating the principles thereof, andwill thereafter point out, in the claims, the novel features.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof,

Figure 1 shows in different views two briquets of suitable shape, whichmay be produced on the present apparatus, and of dimensions for exampleof two inches each way.

Fig. 2 shows a left side elevation of an apparatus embodying the presentinvention, feeding means beingomitted since any lmode of feed may beemployed.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 2, indicating itsform but omitting details.

Fig. 4l is a left elevation similar to Fig. 1 but with the side frameremoved, and shown partly in longitudinal vertical section on the plane-l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the apparatus of shown in elevation to givethe details omitted from Fig. 3,andthe remainder being shown in vertical4cross section central' to the front axis of the two.

Fig. G is an enlargement of the middle sectional portion of-Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 shows the construction of the plungers and block.

Fig. 8 is a left-hand elevation similar to Fig.` 1, partly in section.

Fig. 9 shows a'dii'lerent form of plunger block construction that may beemployed in place of that of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the devices shown in Fig. 9.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts in theseveral views.

The briquet 10 of Fig. 1 is shown as having crowned or rounded ends,preferably separated by a cylindrical section of any desired length anddiameter.

The apparatus hereof contains a pair of rotary members, which may forconvenience be termed barrels, and Which are preferably in rollingContact with. each other, the nal compressing of each briquet beingeffected at the tangential contact position of the barrels. One featureis the mounting of the barrels to withstand the very great strainsinvolved, this being done by fitting them on large hollow stationarydrums, whose relative position is positively determined by connection toa single stout frame. Other features relate to the use of plungerscontained in one or both barrels, andv their construction,. fittings andmode of action. Other features are interrelated to thosementioned.

Since rotation ofthebarrels about horizontal parallel axes is preferred,the side frames 11, 12 may take any form to secure that arrangement.

The rotating members, which carry the plunger-s, and cooperate in thecompressing of the raw material, may consist of a front rotating barrel13, and a similar rear one 14.

The driving may be done in any suitable way. For convenience, eachbarrel is twosided with central gear sections 15, and these gearsintermesh with each other, and a rear driving pinion 16.

Each barrel, onV each side of the gear secvtion 15, has a plungersection 17, and the plungers of barrel 13 cooperate with those of barrel14 at the place of tangency or contact of the two barrels.

According to thisl invention, instead of mounting` the rotary barrels onshafts with pedestal bearings, a machine is afforded which will standthe enormous strain imposed'on it, by constitutin each barrel as ahollow c lindrical mem er co aeratino'.

Y a as with a hollow cylindrical stationary drum, located preferablyinside of the barrel, and which affords an efficient bearing. Y

The front stationary drum 18 and the rear one 19 are shown permanentlyriveted or bolted to the side frames 11 and 12, and the entire centermay be open as shown without right and a similar one lat the left.

Y secure the sections together, and at 22 the outerV sections Varebolted to the frames 11 and 12. n

Similar removable end pieces or-rings 23 may serve several functions.They constitute bearing Yraces betweenwhich and the ends-of barrel'13are rollers or balls 24.

They are also conformed at their interior faces to act as races or camsfor the operation of plungers. As the'barrel has two plunger sectionseach pieceV 23 is opposed by Y a coacting piece 25 likewise secured tothe stationary drumand likewise conformed to operate or guide plungers.The sectional drum construction facilitates the assemblage of these andassociated parts.V

The barrel .'13, rotating about drumY 18 has bearing thereonnot only byrollers 24 and races 23 but at 'other suitable points. The

drum has an annular flange 26 at its center.

Between this and each piece 25 isa series of friction rollers 27,running between a tire or race-28 'outside the drum and an opposed one29 inside the barrel.

The barrel 13 may be cast in two symmetrically similar pieces 30, 30 atright and left, and these are conveniently permanently connected bybolting the gear section 15 to both, as shown.VV tates assemblage. Y Y i`Each plungerY section 17 o f barrel 13 is radially lbored overvitswhole area forming This construction facilipockets-for reception of theplunger 31. The rarrangement should be orderly, and the barrel may be ofsuch diameter as to acconnnodate approximately 4G rows of 12 plungers ineach section, making 1000 total. This involves the manufacture of thatmany briquets at each rotation, and the speed may be for example 6:1-revolutions per minute, more or less resulting in a number of tons ofbriquets per hour from each machine.

The plungers require to be accurately governed in their out and inmovements. entire row of 24 may operate in unison, succeeding rowsoperating similarly in succession. This is efficiently secured byattaching or forming the 12 plungers at each side upon a common block orhead By then actuating the block the plungers are properly operated.

The control of each plunger block 32 .is by coperationavith properlyshaped parts on the fixed drum 18. y

Thus each block at each end has a cam follower. 33, Fig. 7 and thesepass respectively in guide or cam groove 34 in piece 23 and similarguide 35 in piece 25. See upper left of Fig. 5.

.The compressing movement of the plungers is outward, and this is aidedby a series of rolling elements 36, between the series of blocks 32 anda fixed cam, raceor ring 37 on the drum.

The race 37 and rollers 3G do the effective out-moving of the plungerblocks. and at the proper times the cam surfaces in pieces 23 and 25draw the same back.

Each plunger in Fig. 7 is shown cupshaped at its extremity, to securethe briquet form of Fig. 1.

The plunger block 32 may be provided at its bottom with separate basepiece 32n contacting with the block 32 along a curved surface. T preferthis to the integral construction of Fig. 7. This renders the plungerblock practically adjustable as it passes over the rollers 30. Therelative movement which is possible between the block and the base pieceprecludes any tendency of the plungers to jam while moving in theirpassages.

le pass now to the particular action of the plungers, which is animportant feature hereof, and this takes us to Figs. 4 and `6 moreparticularly.

The plunger-retracting cams need not he further referred to as it willhe understood lthat they are substantially complementary to theplunger-advancing cams or races 37. The same is true not only of barrel13 but also barrel 14, but as in the latter the advancing cams or racering 38 differs from the ring 37 in barrel 13, it is given a differ-VVent reference character.

Figs. 4 and 5 at the top show the plungers of barrel 13 there retractedleaving a pocket of predetermined cylindrical volume, which will besuitably filled up flush with raw material in powdered or other form.According to the preferred embodiment theA barrel 14: is not fed withmaterial, and its action is one of coperation with barrel 13 to compressthematerial into briquets inthe latter.

The compressing is done at the tangential or contacting'portions of thebarrels. The barrels may actually contact along cylindrical tire or rimportions 39, and there may be interlocking ribs and recess at 410 and 41to insure exact registry. See Figs. 5 and 2. There will also be mutualcontact throughout the plunger sections except where the powderedmaterial lies in the bored plunger passages.

As a row of plungers in barrel 13 approaches the pressing position(horizontal), the barrels rotating as indicated by the arrows, aneccentric, but not abrupt portion 42 of cam 3T causes them to moveradially outward with tremendous power. The large, substantial. andfixed nature of the drums, carrying the cams 37 and 38 precludes anyyielding, so that the compressing action is positive and more powerfulthan an inferior construction would permit.

Each plunger in barrel 13 reaches its final compressing position when inthe plane of the axes of the two barrels.

@pposite each plunger in barrel 13 is ,a plunger in barrel 14. Thelatter is caused to gradually advance as it approaches compressingpoint. The cam 33 is shown as less abrupt than cam 37'. The plungeractually enters the bore in barrel 13 before reaching compressingposition. The bore entrance being slightly beveled, permits this. Theplunger' is caused to project substantially beyond barrel 14 and reachesits outermost position at the compressing point.

iin excessive plunger movement near the compressing point is notnecessary, as will be made to appear', but a slight positive andpowerful compressing movement of them is of very great importance,giving a briquet of an extreme degree of compression, solidity anddurability.

Tt will be seen that the compressing movements of the opposed plungersis supplemented by the rolling movement of the barrels, which are heldin position to resist many tons pressure. The plunger sections of therespective barrels advance toward each other with that extreme powerwhich is in the nature of a toggle, and the opposed plungers are thuscarried bodily together with this tremendous pressure.

The final compressing action is not oneof one plunger forcing materialtoward a fixed abutment, but the material at its two opposite ends isacted on andcompressed, so that the material itself is substantially notdisplaced but only compressed at both ends toward its middle. This Ifind to overcome with satisfaction the difiiculty, well recognized inthe past, that the briquets have not been made sufficiently or uniformlyhard at their surface portions.

As the plungers pass below the compressing point, the cam 33 permitsthose in barrel 14C to abruptly recede, their work being done, while thecam 37 is shaped to continue the gradual-advance of the plungers,thereby forcing out the finished briquets, which drop at or beforereaching the bottom position seen in Fig. 4i. The plungers in barrel 111remain idle until their next compressing action. Those in barrel 13recede to their completely withdrawn position in passing from the lowerto the upper side.

To facilitate the filling of the pockets above the topmost plungers, andto secure uniformity, a hopper' 50 may be employed. This is shown inFig. et. Tt can be located so close to the barrel that its lower edgesbrush the barrel. The pockets thereby are evenly filled, flush with theexterior surface of the plunger section. `Where it is desirable, inusing such a binding material as pitch, to keep soft the mass ofmaterial by heat, the hopper may have a steam jacket 51. Y,

I nd it advantageous to somewhat compact the material in advance of thefinal compressing. This is more especially true where a long briquet,and therefore a deep pocket, is desired. The preliminary reduction ofvolume obviates the need of a long plunger movement, and an abrupt cameccentric at the high compression position. The less abrupt the cam themore workable and durable the mechanism, and the more effective thecompressing action. A slight preliminary compacting may be effected inthe hopper 50 by means of fixed inclined slats 52 which, on scraping themoving barrel surface, tend to force downward the material into thepockets. The'partial compacting obviates spilling of material as theplunger pockets approach horizontal.

I prefer to employ a more efficient means of temporarily compacting thematerial. It

.acts between the feed position, and that of final compression. Itcomprises a resisting means as a block 54 resting on the barrel,supported by side plates 55, together with means forI forcing theplungers'outward a moderate distance as they slide under the block. Thusthe fixed cam or race is intended to be shown with a slightly eccentricportion at 56. securing such result.

Thus when the partly compacted material arrives at the point of tangencyof the barrels it is ready` to be completed by a comparatively shortmovement. tion is almost in the nature of a double ended blow. Thefairly compact material, while conned in its cylindrical pocket, is atthe same time forced, at the rear by the out moving plunger, and at theopposite side The final aca 25. actual movement is Vpractically oractually by the plunger inthe other barrel, which latter is carried intothe pocket by the barrels rotation, and by its controlling cam.

Ther simultaneous compression at both ends, attained by the describedapparatus, is of great utility. A one ended pressure toward an abutmentis not found to secure a satisfactory product, perhaps because of thesubstantial shifting of the briquets center of gravity during theaction, and the consequent sliding of thebriquet in its pocket, thefrietional resistance to` which 'sliding may preclude the impressed endfrom receiving the necessary surface hardening.

A briquet of uniform shape without corner or edge lins is'desirable.VThe actual entering of the one plunger into the pocket in the otherbarrel secures thisv advantage.

The described machine is of long durability since wear is negligible.The wear of shaft and shaft bearing is dispensed with. The bari'els rollon their drums, and coperate With each other without wear. The

'briquet causes minimum wear on its pocket since at the time of highestcompression its nothing. Y

' TheV several features cooperate in enabling a comparatively muchhigher speed of production than heretofore known machines were capableof, and the actual power required perton of output is found to be eX-tremely low, because of the functional and structuralV advantagespointed out.

Y The plungers and pockets are shown of cylindrical shape, circular'incross section, but the cross section could be varied indefinitely inform, and by cylindrical I include any'eylinders or prisms. By the termbarrel I include any member adapted to support the rotating groups ofplungers.

In Fig. 8 a form of construction is shown, embodying m'y invention, andin some cases lfv prefer this tothe construction shown in Fig. 4. Y f lThe chief feature of difference in' the modification of Fig. 8 'is inthe construction and arrangement of the cam 37 which oper- Y atesYthroughthe rolling elements 36, to drive the plungers. c Y

g In Fig. 4 the cani member 37 is partly eccentric on'its outer surface,andpartly concentric, the Vcam being secured upon a concentric portionVof the stationary drum.

VIn' Fig. 8 on the other hand, the cam 37a is shown intheform of a'truecircular ring.V VThe operative action of the ring is obtained Ybyxitseccentric location, it being shown as so fixed inthe machine that Vitscenter is slightly below ,theV center of rotation of the barrel. Thissimplifies the construction, and

Y gives great efiiciency'of action.

My'preferred VWay of mounting the cam ring 37a of Fig.- 8, is to secureit concentricallyin the usual way tothe left-hand orV the right-handdrum casting 21, 21, of Fig. 5, and to so secure those drum castings tothe central drum casting 20, as to attain the desired ecceiitricity.

In other words, suppose the total plunger throw is to be two inches,then the drum casting 21 will be so shaped or located that its outercircular surface will have a center one inch below the center of thecasting 20. The true cam ring 37a being then secured 75 on the outsideof casting 21 is properly eccentrically displaced to give the desiredplunger throw. All the difliculties of machining a cam ring as in F ig.4 are dispensed with, and the manufacture of a niachine embodying myinvention is very materially simplified and cheapened.

The above remarks apply to the righthand barrel 13 shown in Fig. S. Theaction of each plunger is to withdraw to its lowest position at theupper part of its travel, and to gradually and uniformly move out`wardly as it passes to the tangential or final compression position, andcontinue its outward movement until at the lowest point of travel wherethe briquet is ejected, following which the plunger rctracts, until atthe original position ready for refilling.

The arrangement is substantially7 similar for the barrel 14, and we havethe true circular ring 37b, but in the case of barrel 14 this iseccentrically displaced, not downwardly, but toward the center of barrel13.

In this way, each plunger in barrel 14 reaches the outer extent of itspredetermined throw when at the tangential position at which the finalcompression takes place.

In its principle of operation, the construction in Fig. 8 will be seento embody the same invention as the other gures, and the additionalfeatures in Fig. S are rather of construction and detail of operation.It will be understood that details omitted from Fig. S are supposed tobe the same as in the other figures; for example the hopper 50 110 andthe block 54 are supposed to be present in Fig. 8.

The invention hereof consists of the various novel modes of action,combinations, arrangements, devices, a-nd other features, described andillustrated. It will be seen that the described. apparatus attains theobjects and advantages recited, and other advantages will appear tothose conversant with the manufacture of such articles. Since variousfeatures maybe indefinitely modified without affecting the principlesinvolved,

*and likewise features might be omitted, I

pair of rotary barrels :mounted on said bearings, constructed andarranged with their peripheries mutually substantially tangent,

C, bers carried around with the second barrel,

each arranged and shaped to enter a pocket in the first barrel as thepoint of tangency is approached and to apply a compressing force on thematerial in the pocket simultaneously with the compressing movement ofthe aforesaid plunger in such pocket.

2.' A machine for briqueting powdered coal or the like including, incombination: a

frame, a pair of stationary spaced apartbearings mounted rigidly in saidframe, a pair of rotary barrels mounted on said bearings, constructedand arranged Vwith their peripheries mutually substantially tangent,means for simultaneously yrotating said barrels in opposite directions,the first of said barrels being provided with substantially radialpockets, a plunger movable radially in each pocket, an interior devicein the first barrel for controlling each plunger movement, the sameconstructed and timed to give the plunger a forcible movement againstthe material in the pocket as the pocket approaches the point oftangency with the second barrel, a series of compressing members carriedaround with the second barrel, each arranged and shaped to enter apocket in the first barrel as the point of tangency is approached and toapply a compressing force on the material in the pocket simultaneouslywith the compressing movement of the aforesaid plunger in such pocket,means for filling each pocket as it revolves, and means'for temporarilycovering and uncovering the outer end of each pocket between fillingposition and place of tangency, said plunger controlling deviceconstructed to move the plunger outward while the pocket is so coveredto preliminarily pack the material before the final compressing betweensaid plunger and compressing member.

3. A machine for briqueting powdered coal or the like including, incombination: a frame, a pair of stationary spaced apart bea-rinesmounted rigidly in said frame, a pair of? rotary barrels mounted on saidbearings, constructed and arranged with their peripheries mutuallysubstantially tangent, means for simultaneously rotating said barrels inopposite directions, the first. of said barrels being provided withsubstantially radial pockets, a plunger movable radially in each pocket,a stationary cam track in the first 'barrel for controlling each plungermovement, the same constructed and timed to give the plunger a forciblemovement against the material in the pocket as the pocket approaches thepoint of tangency with the second barrel, a series of loose rollersbetween the plungers and cam, and a series of compressing memberscarried around with the second barrel, each arranged and shaped to entera pocket in the first barrel as the point of tangency is approached andto apply a compressing force on the material in the pocketsimultaneously with the compressing movement of the aforesaid plunger insuch pocket.

4. A' machine for briqueting powdered coal or the likeincluding, incombination: a frame, Ya pair of stationary spaced apart bearingsmounted rigidly in said frame, a pair of rotary barrels mounted on saidbearings, constructed and arranged with their peripheries mutuallysubstantially tangent, means for simultaneously rotating said barrels inopposite directions, the first of said barrels being provided withsubstantially radial pockets, a plunger' movable radially in eachpocket, an interior device in the first barrel for controlling eachplunger movement, the same constructed and timed to give the plunger aforcible movement against the material in the pocket as the pocketrapproaches the point of tangency with the second barrel, and a series ofcompressing members carried around with the second barrel, each arrangedandL shaped to enter a pocket in the first barrel as the point oftangency is approached and to apply a compressing force on the materialin the pocket simultaneously with the compressing movement of theaforesaid plunger in such pocket, said plunger controlling devicefurther constructed .and timed to move each plunger outward after thepocket has pressed the tangency point for ejecting the briquet, and toretract the plunger to its full extent to permit filling the pocketbefore the compressing movement of the plunger.

5. A machine for briqueting 4powdered coal or the like including, incombination: a frame, a pair of stationary spaced apart bearings mountedrigidly in said frame, a pair of rotary barrels mounted on saidbearings, constructed and arranged with their peripheries mutuallysubstantially tangent, means for simultaneously rotating said barrels inopposite directions, the first of said barrels being provided withsubstantially radial pockets, a plunger movable radially in each pocket,an interior device in the first' barrel for controlling each plungermovement, the same constructed and timed to give the plunger a forciblemovement against the material in the pocket as the pocket approaches l.the point of tangency with the second barrel, a series of compressingmembers carried around with the sec-V ond barrel, each arranged andshaped to enter a pocket in the lirst barrel as the point of tangency isapproached and to apply `a compressing force on the material in thepocket simultaneously with the compressing movement of the aforesaidplunger in such pocket, said compressing members beingsubstantially-radially movable in the second barrel, and a stationarydevice or cam in the secondrbarrel for controlling such membersconstructed and timed to advance each full diameter of the barrelssupported byV them, a pair of rotary barrels surrounding and supportedby the peripheries of said drums, said two barrelsconstructed andarranged With their pe'ripheries mutually substantially tangent, meansfor simultaneously vrotating said barrels atrthe same speed vin oppositedirections, the iirst of said barrels being provided with suitablyvshaped pockets in Which the material may be received and compressed,and said second barrel provided With movable plungers for giving aforcible compressing movement against the material in each pocket as thepoint of tangency is approached.

A machine for briqueting powdered coal lor the like including incombination, a frame having rigid opposite side pieces, a pair ofstationary spaced-apart hollow drums extending rigidly from one sidepiece to the other, said drums being of substantially'the same diameterand of nearly the fullgdiameter of the barrels supported by them, a pairof rotary barrels surrounding and supported by the peripheries of saiddrums, said two barrels constructed and arranged vvith their peripheriesmutually substantially tangent, means for simultaneously rotating saidbarrels at the same speed in opposite directions, the first of saidbarrels being provi-ded with suitably shaped. pockets in which thematerial may be received and compressed, and movable plungersautomatically operable during the rotation of the barrels adapted togive a forcible compressing movement against the material in each pocketas the point of tangency is approached.

In testimony whereof I have aiiixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN F. LOVEJ OY. vWitnesses:

WM. J. DOLAN, DONALD CAMPBELL.

Copies 'of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C.

